UK to up military spend

London: Britain has announced the biggest investment in its military since the end of the Cold War as the government seeks to define its postBrexit role on the world stage.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants Britain to be a swashbuckling leader of a new era of global cooperation and free trade, backed by cuttingedge modern military and cyber capabilities.

In a speech to parliament yesterday , Johnson was to announce an extra £16.5 billion ($NZ31.6 billion) for the military over the next four years.

‘‘I have taken this decision in the teeth of the pandemic because the defence of the realm must come first,’’ he said.

‘‘The international situation is more perilous . . . than at any time since the Cold War and Britain must be true to our history and stand alongside our allies. To achieve this, we need to upgrade our capabilities across the board.’’

Johnson was to announce a new agency dedicated to artificial intelligence, the creation of a National Cyber Force and a new ‘‘Space Command‘‘, able to launch Britain’s first rocket in 2022.